Savitri Khanolkar Biography 
Savitri Khanolkar was a designer, who was born in Neuchatel, Switzerland, and later settled in India after marriage to Maj. Gen. Vikram Ramji Khanolkar. Her birth name is Eve Yvonne Maday de Maros. In India, she is best known for designing India's highest military decoration - Param Vir Chakra, soon after Indian independence. She has also designed many other Indian gallantry medals including the Ashok Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra, and also General Service Medal 1947, which was used until 1965. Just a co-incidence, the first Param Vir Chakra, the highest military honour was given to a close relative of Savitri posthumously. The first recipient of this award, Major Som Nath Sharma from 4 Kumaon Regiment was the brother of Savitri’s son-in-law, for his bravery in Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 in Kashmir border.
Savitri Khanolkar was born as Eve Yvonne Maday de Maros on 20 July 1913 in Neuchatel, Switzerland. After her marriage to Indian Army Captain Vikram Ramji Khanolkar in 1932, she changed her name to Savitri Khanolkar, moved to India and changed to Hindu. She acquired Indian citizenship before Indian independence.
Following independence, when Adjutant General Major General Hira Lal Atal asked her to design Indian gallantry medals to honour soldiers for their bravery and sacrifices to mother nation, she accepted it instantly. Major General Atal was then given the power to design medals and name them. She had deep and intimate knowledge of Indian mythology, Sanskrit and Veda, and that’s why Atal chose her.
She continued with her social life, even after the death of her husband in 1952, very soon after Indian independence. They lived 20 years together. Even after his death, she preferred to stay in India. But she moved to Ramakrishna Math where she led a spiritual life till her death in 1990.
Published: October 01, 2018
Updated: October 01, 2018
